This blog is about my new Civil War history, Our War: Days and Events in the Fight for the Union.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Life after death for a good soldier's intentions

As any regular reader of this blog knows by now, Edward E.
Sturtevant of the 5th New Hampshire Volunteers left a paper trail. The longer I
follow it, the more I learn and the more I admire him. There are posts about
him here, here and here, and he is mentioned and pictured elsewhere. But until
the other day, I didn’t know his life and death also provided a window into the post-Civil War
federal pension system.

This is odd because Sturtevant died at Fredericksburg in
1862, a bachelor who left no children.

But for years before the war, first as a printer, then as a night constable
for the Concord, N.H., police department, he had sent money to his family in Keene.
His father George was unwell and aging. His sister Ellen did her best to carry
on a social life but was unhealthy. After the war she still lived with her
parents in the house Edward had built them.

By the mid-1880s, Ellen’s parents were dead, and she had
turned 50 and moved into a home for invalids. Still, she had no way of paying
for even minimal human needs. In 1886 she applied for a federal war pension on
grounds that had Edward survived the war, he would have supported her.

Federal pension applications all went through Congress at
this time. A pension agent probably guided Ellen Sturtevant through the process. As evidence of her situation, she included a statement
from her doctor about her condition and a personal statement about how the
family had always depended on Edward’s support.

Making public these private details was the way things
worked in the 1880s, whether someone was applying for a war pension or town
welfare.

Congress approved Ellen M. Sturtevant’s pension on Feb. 22,
1887, President Grover Cleveland signed off on it, and the details were listed
among scores of other pensions and relief petitions in a congressional report a
few days later. The pension amounted to $12 a month. Most likely it rose slowly
until Ellen’s death on Feb. 24, 1903, at the age of 69. (For a good primer on
Civil War pension systems North and South, see this website.)

Sen. Henry W. Blair

The U.S. Senate document transcribed below includes Ellen
Sturtevant’s statement and her doctor’s. The “Blair” mentioned is
Republican Sen. Henry W. Blair of New Hampshire.

Below this document, I have added two letters written by
Edward E. Sturtevant in 1860, the year before he went off to war. In addition
to giving an interesting account of a police constable’s life (he was the
overnight beat cop in addition to other duties), the letters support Ellen
Sturtevant’s claims of dependency. Edward live frugally and took care of the
family.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

January 25, 1887

Mr. Blair, from the Committee of Pensions,
submitted the following report:

The Committee on Pensions, to whom was referred the bill
(H.B. 10152) granting a pension to Ellen M. Sturtevant, have
carefully examined the same, and report, recommending the passage of the
bill. The appended House of Representatives report carefully states
the facts, and is therefore adopted by your committee.

Ellen M. Sturtevant was the sister of Edward E.
Sturtevant, late major of the Fifth New Hampshire Regiment, who
was killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862. Among
the papers filed with this committee are the originals of several
letters, covering dates from 1858 to 1861, written by Edward E. to his
sister and parents. These disclose clearly that the family were largely
dependent upon his contributions for support, and such contributions were made
in considerable sums.

The sister, from allusions made in these letters, appears to
have been in feeble health at that time. The statement of Dr.
Twitchell shows that he has treated her for serious troubles since 1864, and
that in all these years she has been incapable of self-support. She
is at present an inmate of the Invalids’ Home at Keene, N.H., and in
most strained circumstances.

Major Sturtevant was never married. Had he lived, there
can be no doubt he would have continued the support of his
unfortunate sister. He was killed in battle, and we think the Government may
with great justice and propriety recognize the claim of the invalid
sister thus left in a great measure dependent “upon charity.”

We recommend the passage of the bill.

*

I, Ellen M. Sturtevant, of Keene, N. H., upon my oath depose
and say as follows: My age is fifty-one years, and my Post-office address as
above. I am a sister of Edward E. Sturtevant, late major of the Fifth Regiment
New Hampshire Volunteers (who was killed in action December 13, 1862).

Prior to and at the time of the enlistment of my said
brother into said service, I was living with my father and mother in Keene
aforesaid, in a house which my said brother built on Court street for us; at
that time and ever since I was, for a large part of the time, sick and not able
to take care of myself or earn anything. He gave us a home, and besides that he
sent me money from time to time in amounts ranging from $5 upwards, so as to
relieve my father as much as possible from the burden of my support (he, my
father, being hardly able to get along and take care of himself and mother).

My said father and mother died about ten years ago, and all
the property I have in the world is one-fifth interest in the house aforesaid,
with a right to one-half of the rent (which is in all $150) after the taxes,
water bills, &c., are paid. My said brother was never married, and it was a
reason for his hesitating about enlisting, because he was afraid I could not
get along without his being home to help support me.

Since the death of my brother I have had to get along
without many of the comforts of life and most necessities of my condition,
because I have had no means or resources to rely on. I have been at the
Invalids’ Home at said Keene for about two years past. This institution gives
me one-half of my board, and for the past year I have been unable to pay my
proportion of taxes upon the house before mentioned. I am unable to wait upon myself
only a part of the time, and when I am able to be around I can stand up but
little, and can walk but a short distance at a time. I am able to do scarcely
any sewing.

I was dependent upon my said brother for support at the time
of his death, and have been dependent upon others ever since.

ELLEN M. STURTEVANT.

*
I, George B. Twitchell, of Keene, County of Cheshire and
State of New Hampshire, on oath depose and say in relation to the claim of
Ellen M. Sturtevant, of said Keene, for pension, as follows:

That I have been for the last forty-three years and am now a
practicing physician in said Keene, and as such have professionally attended
the said Ellen M. Sturtevant; that in the spring of the year 1864 was consulted
by her. She was then suffering from uterine displacements and general ill
health. She was much debilitated, and
had severe pain in back whenever she attempted to labor; could only move from
bed or lounge to chair, and was entirely dependent upon others.

I have prescribed for her from time to time to the present
time, though she had to my knowledge been at different times under the care of
other physicians, and was at one time for many weeks at the Adams Marine
Asylum, in Jamaica Plain, Mass. During all of these years she has been an
invalid and able to do but little for her support, and when she has labored it
has been with suffering, for she has had much neuralgia. At the present time
she is able to do but little, and is now (May 15, 1886), an inmate of the
Invalids’ Home.

I have no interest in the above claim for invalid pension.

GEO. B. TWITCHELL

Before the war, Constable Edward E. Sturtevant worked out of the police station on the left. After his regular overnight shifts, he also slept there.

Here are the two letters from Edward E. Sturtevant to his
family, beginning with one written on New Year’s morning, 1860, from the police
station. It is on police stationery, listing John Kimball as city marshal, J.L.
Pickering as assistant marshal and Sturtevant as constable.

Concord, N.H. Jan’y 1st 1860

My Dear Friends –

To each and all of you I wish “a happy new year.” For the
last five years I have seen the last moments of the then expiring year and the
first moments of the coming new year, and as often made many new resolutions.
1860 came in while I was near the Free will Baptist meeting house upon Centre
st. passing round upon my beat as a night watchman of the city of Concord. But
no matter where I was, or what I was doing, I hope that the new year finds you
all well and in the enjoyment of your health.

I am well. I was happy to learn from your last letter that
father was better. I have been very busy of late, and expect to be for a few
weeks to come. Last week I caught a rogue which I have been after for some
time. I found him in Manchester and brought him here. He was put under $500
each on two different complaints – one for stealing a horse and the other for
passing counterfeit money.

I am now engaged in ferreting out two or three
burglaries. Have to work careful, and if I am not mistrusted shall undoubtedly
succeed.

I have seen Henry [his brother, a printer] and he and his
family are well. I never see it when it was better sleighing than now. I shall
have to start in a few moments to go off about 20 miles to see what I can find
out about some thieves.

How do you get along? Are you in want of money? If so don’t
be afraid to let me know. I still board at the Phenix and sleep at the office,
and like it first rate. I want to hear from you – write me often. There is not
much news. I was appointed at the last session of the Governor and council a
Justice of the Peace for this county, as of course I shall hereafter keep the
peace of the state, although I have not yet taken the oath. It will be of some
convenience to me in my business, but the appointment came unsolicited.

Things are now pretty quiet in this place. The firemen had a
large ball here last week which passed off well. I did not attend. I must now
close as I have got to go off. Pardon all mistakes, as I have not time to look
over and see what I have written.

Respectfully &c. E.E. Sturtevant

P.S. Accept my best wishes for each and all of you and
remember me to friends.

*

Concord, Sept. 17th 1860

Dear Friends –

It is now about 4 o’clock in the morning, and as I have a
few moments to spare previous to going to bed, I will try and write you a few
lines. My health is good. I received Ellen’s letter some few days since – was
happy to hear from home, but sorry to learn that you were not very well.

I have been very busy since mother and Willie were here. I
caught that horse thief that I was after when I left here when mother started
for home. I got him in the State of Maine, after a chase of about a week, and
he is now convicted and in the State Prison. I have been engaged at the court
for this county and Hillsboro’ county since mother left, consequently have not
had much time to spare.

Have been at Amherst to attend court where I was witness –
had to stay there about a week, and it is an awful dull place. I have also had
to go to Manchester and some other places with the Wide Awakes* for political
purposes and now I have got to attend the County Fair for this county which is
held at the same time that your county fair is, and then I have got to go to
the State Fair at Manchester. So you see that I am busy.

I do wish that you were well and comfortably off, and what I
can do to make you so shall be done. I enclose twenty dollars at this time for
your use. I shall go home as soon as I can get a little more leisure, but don’t
worry about me.

I was surprised to hear that mother did not get home before
2 o’clock in the morning. I have not yet been up to see Henry’s folks since
they have got back. He looks thin as usual, and is always at work. I don’t go
any where, except on business. I have intended to call upon him before this
time, but have not done it yet.

I hardly know what to write this morning, as it is time for
me to turn in and get some rest, as the noise in the street will soon commence
and I can’t then get to sleep. The weather is delightful and business except in
my line is good now in this place. There is not much for me to do, only I have
to keep round just as much as I should if I had a good deal to do. I still
board at the Phenix.

I have got to write a long letter after I finish this, for a
newspaper and send it off at 5½ o’clock, so I must close. Remember me to all
friends. Write me often. Be careful of your health. Don’t worry about me. If
you have time make me a few shirts, as I notice my shirts are getting ragged,
but not very bad yet.

I shall endeavor to go home before winter. I have some
notion of going off on another chase to-day for the old man that got out of
prison, but don’t know for certain that I shall go. Excuse all bad writing, and
bad spelling, and bad grammar, and write me soon. Good Bye.

In haste &c E.E. Sturtevant

Geo. W. Sturtevant Esq and Family Keene, N.H.

N.B. Write as soon as you receive this, as I shall feel
anxious about the money reaching you. E.E.S.

*The Wide Awakes were supporters of Abraham Lincoln during
the 1860 presidential election.